Hawaii Faces UTEP in El Paso Sun Bowl Matchup

Struggling 2-6 Hawaii needs four more regular-season wins to reach bowl eligibility as it visits UTEP on November 7.

Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Football

Hawaii Faces UTEP in El Paso Sun Bowl Matchup

The University of Hawaii football team, now 2-6, travels to face UTEP at the Sun Bowl in El Paso. It is the first meeting between the programs since 2004, when Hawaii won 31-6 at the same stadium.

Why it matters

Hawaii must win four of its remaining regular-season games to become bowl eligible, making this matchup a key step in its season. The game also marks a renewed rivalry after UTEP left the Western Athletic Conference in 2005 and the two programs later moved into the Mountain West.

Hawaii, at 2-6, must win four of its remaining regular-season games to become bowl eligible, and it last met UTEP in 2004, winning 31-6 at the Sun Bowl. The extraction does not specify how the remaining schedule will play out.

The players

University of Hawaii

The University of Hawaii is a public research university in Honolulu whose football program competes in the Mountain West Conference.

UTEP

The University of Texas at El Paso is a public university whose football team plays its home games at the Sun Bowl.

The details

Hawaii held an hour-long practice at Burges High School on Friday ahead of the game against UTEP at the Sun Bowl, a stadium built into the Franklin Mountains. El Paso sits at 3,904 feet of elevation, a factor the team has had to prepare for.

2004: Hawaii last met UTEP, winning 31-6 at the Sun Bowl.
2005: UTEP left the Western Athletic Conference.
2012: Hawaii joined the Mountain West Conference.
October 28, 2026: Jones passed away.
November 7, 2026: Hawaii plays UTEP at the Sun Bowl.

Season Trajectory

Hawaii's 2004 Sun Bowl win over UTEP came in a season the Warriors later used to build a high-scoring reputation, while today's game arrives as both programs have moved through conference realignment. A win would give Hawaii a needed step toward the four victories required for bowl eligibility.

Hawaii needs four more regular-season wins to become bowl eligible, so each remaining game carries direct weight for the team's postseason outlook. Fans planning to follow the Warriors should note the 7 November kickoff at the Sun Bowl.

The takeaway

Hawaii's path to bowl eligibility depends on closing a 2-6 start with consistent wins, and this game against UTEP is a direct test of that goal. Readers following the Mountain West should watch how the Warriors perform at altitude in El Paso.